Fringe 5.11 Episode Review - The Boy Must Live

Fathers, Sons, Toe Tapping, & A White Tulip

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Big Boss to Windmark  - "We have a 99.9999% probability to succeed."

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Windmark to Big Boss - "The boy had a 0.0001% chance of surviving.”

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Big Boss to Windmark - “Why go to such lengths to protect someone?”

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With the finish line less than a week away now as I write this, Fringe has entered into that danger zone where it starts to provide the answers to series's long questions that the fans have been asking since the pilot.  Inevitably the answers will split opinions.  The task of providing answers to questions that feel organic and do not feel bolted on is a difficult tightrope act of writing.  Especially given the nature of serialized TV where the goal is to prolong the journey as long as possible.  Original intentions at the beginning of a continuing drama morph and change the longer the journey goes.

Thankfully, in this episode Fringe has kept to its core themes while preserving the integrity of its continuity even while using one of the most dangerous writing devices - the retcon.

Olivia Discovers The Price Of Freedom.

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The Fringe Podcast Episode 523-Exclusive Ari Margolis Interview

In this episode of The Fringe Podcast we share our exclusive interview with Ari Margolis. Ari is the Creative Manager, Drama - in Special Ops for FOX. He has worked on many of the online video content for Fringe over the last 5 seasons and has played an instrumental part in bridging the fandom with the creative with the show. Ari is also responsible for several of the cast interviews we've seen, the recap videos and even some of the content shown at the Fringe panel at Comic-Con. Ari not only works for FOX, but he is a true fan of the show. You can follow Ari on Twitter at the handle, @jonxproductions.

Send in your thoughts and feedback to 304-837-2278 or feedback@thefringepodcast.com.

Observer Talk Catch Up

It has been a while since I created an Observer Talk post so I thought it was time to catch up on the small amount of Observer language we have seen in recent episodes.

First is the poster to the left, which was first seen in the episode Five Twenty Ten

This version of the poster was included as an image released as part of the Fox Now app for a later episode.

Ministry of Science is translated of course, but the second section of observer language says "Brooklyn Division" which is different to the English equivalent.

Next was The Human Kind there were two instances of Reward Wire in evidence.

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The Fringe Podcast Episode 522-The Boy Must Live

In episode 522 of The Fringe Podcast we share our thoughts on the pre-penultimate episode of Fringe titled, “The Boy Must Live.” We discuss the multitude of answers revealed in the episode surrounding Donald/September and his relationship with Michael. We talk about the plan that was revealed to potentially reset the timeline and the consequences that might bring. We share our opinions on Walter’s healed mind and new memories. We also discuss the info we learned about how the Observers came in to existence and much more.

Send in your thoughts and feedback to 304-837-2278 or feedback@thefringepodcast.com.

Fringe Review: The Boy Must Live

“I’m optimistic.”

I’m not sure what to say about this, the antepenultimate episode of Fringe. (If I’m reading the Internet correctly, next week will be two episodes aired back-to-back rather than one long episode.) I am past the point of wanting to evaluate the show—to point out its strengths and weaknesses, to quibble or to praise. I’m a fan of Fringe, and I doubt that will change in the next seven days.

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Fringe 512/513 Preview: "Liberty" & "An Enemy Of Fate"

Here is the preview from the end of "The Boy Must Live" for the Fringe 2-part SERIES FINALE episode "Liberty" & "An Enemy Of Fate", which airs ONE HOUR EARLY on FRIDAY, January 18th at 8:00PM on FOX.

Screenshots from this preview can be viewed at FringeFiles.com.

Fringe Review/Analysis 5.11: The Boy Must Live - Preparing to Let Go

Rich in answers, this episode is truly the mythology follower's dream. Another winner written by Graham Roland (Five -Twenty - Ten)http this season, HERE is where the climax of Wyman’s love letter to the fans starts to culminate for those with patience. Walter’s plan, its implications, its meaning to the show and characters, and connection to the past, are all discussed. It also brings us the most touching scene between Walter and Peter in the entire series. Yet, given what we learn in this part of the story, surely there is more to come.

The Plan… Exposed?

So, I think that I enjoyed watching Peter laser amber just a bit too much. Loved the safety goggles, but boy, did he jump at the headlights going by the lab… Even more so when he thought someone was in the lab with him. The funny thing is Walter just stood there –didn’t flinch—then the two trade excuses for being up. Aw, the life of fugitives.

After having a good laugh at Walter’s insistence of going skinny dipping in the old tank—and poor Olivia’s not-so-amused-reaction reminiscent of a scene we’ve seen before—it doesn’t take long for the team to obtain the information they need and for the action to get rolling. Why did it amuse me that Donald lives under a bridge? Maybe it is because bridges have always been important in the show—the most prevalent being the one in The Man from the Other Side and the bridge between universes. They even appear in the small set details such as pictures hanging on a wall. Fringe has also been big on using rainbows which are kind considered as a type of bridge in some mythologies, and they symbolize hope, forgiveness and promise. I am sure that we will see some kind of rainbow before the end of the series.

Windmark’s journey into the future literally took my breath away for a moment and gave me a smile – “Oh, cool.” Though I was expecting the Cobra, er.. I mean Observer commander to be someone really amazing, and maybe someone we’ve seen before…  Darn. I found it funny that the fugitives were of no consequence to him, but Windmark was about to pop a cork.

“It should not exist."

 "But someone ensured its survival. Because they thought it was important.”

Wow. If we go back to August, that particular Observer fell in love with a woman he had watched since she was a little girl, altering her destiny. The “insignificant” was made significant.

Peter was brought back from his state of non-existence due to the people who cared for him not letting go him.

We’ve wondered why the Observers just didn’t go back and stop Walter from being born or something, but here, we have learned that they just can’t change stuff willy-nilly

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We also now know why there are no female Observers. Women have the reputation for being too emotional, for one thing. Plus, who needs a hormonal womb on two legs when you can grow people to specification in a tank, like the decanting room in Huxley’s Brave New World? Complete with its own Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning? Ew…

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Fringe Glyph Code 511: "The Boy Must Live"

The Glyphs code in the Fringe episode "The Boy Must Live" spelled out GRACE, like how the Observer boy will be their saving grace.

For more information on the Fringe Glyphs, check out Fringepedia's Glyph / Symbols page, which has all the previous glyphs and codes.

Fringe Episode 511: "The Boy Must Live"

Happy Penultimate Fringe Friday!

TIME TO SAVE THE WORLD IS RUNNING OUT
As time dramatically ticks down toward the end of this acclaimed series, Peter, Olivia and Walter stop at nothing to save the universe from Observer rule. Walter enters the infamous deprivation tank in an attempt to uncover a key piece of information about the mysterious figure, Donald. Meanwhile, Captain Windmark sets out on a revealing mission of his own as long-standing questions are answered.

During tonight's episode, help promote Fringe by tweeting about the episode using this week's hashmark #NeverLetGo (Wait until 8pm, and don't use any other #hashtags! - plus please add the word Fringe (without a #) into your tweet.)

While you are on Twitter, keep your eye out for live tweeting by:

• Fringe editor Ari Margolis (@jonxproductions)
• Fringe executive producer Joel Wyman (@jwfringe) 
• Plus other fringe cast and crew???

Also, don't forget to check OUT our LIVE Fringe Chat Room, and check-IN to Fringe at GetGlue to get this week's Fringe sticker.

After the episode airs, continue the discussion here in the comments, and get more Fringe information at the:

• Episode page on Fringepedia
• Transcript on Fringepedia
• Screenshot gallery at FringeFiles
• Promotional photos at FringeFiles

Check back here soon for Observer sightings, Glyph codes, and other Fringe Easter Eggs.

How do you rate the Fringe episode "The Boy Must Live"?

Today Show: 10 Episodes To Watch Before The Fringe Series Finale

Today.com has a "Fringe Farewell" article, listing the "10 essential episodes to watch before the series ends":

• “The Road Not Taken” (Season 1, episode 19)
• “There’s More Than One of Everything” (Season 1, episode 20)
• “Jacksonville” (Season 2, episode 15)
• “Peter” (Season 2, episode 16)
• “Over There” (Season 2, episodes 22 & 23)
• “Entrada” (Season 3, episode 8)
• “The End of All Things” (Season 4, episode 14)
• “A Short Story About Love” (Season 4, episode 15)
• “Letters of Transit” (Season 4, episode 19)
• “Brave New World” (Season 4, episodes 21 & 22)

Check out the full article for their reasoning on why episode is included in the list.

Do you agree with this list? Is there anything you would take out or add to the list?

Fringe Benefits Project: Wrap Up

The final posters for the Fringe Benefit Project were revealed on Wednesday night during the Fringe Benefit event at the Paley Center in Los Angeles. They were made available for sale during the event, and then the remainder we sold online beginning last night around 8:00pm EDT.

Three of the posters are still for sale on FringeBenefitsProject.com, but unfortunately, with the help of a little media coverage, word spread beyond our tight-knit Fringe community. The attention attracted some lowlife scalpers, who snapped up the last of the final "Fringe" posters, causing it to sell out in less than 30 minutes (which would have been even faster if the Galley 1988 server hadn't crashed...)

PLEASE DO NOT BUY THESE POSTERS ON EBAY! 

These villains took away posters from actual Fringe fans, and are trying to make money off of a charity event. This bad behavior should not be rewarded!

Not to mention the fact that some posters being sold could be fakes!

However, the main reason not to buy these poster on eBay, is that there is a good chance the artists will be selling more of these posters themselves.

You may have seen that the posters were originally released in a "hand numbered edition of 150 (100 available)". The other 50 that were made are called Artist Proofs (AP), and some will be given back to the artists so they can sell them themselves.

Not only will you not have to pay a ridiculously marked up price, but you will be directly supporting the artist that created these posters.

For more information, visit each artists website, and sign up for their mailing list, or follow them on twitter - and who knows, you might find something else you like by these artists:

1. "White Tulip" by Anthony Petrie (@zombiebacons) at AnthonyPetrie.com
2. "The Plateau" by Mark Englert (@markenglert) at TacoBelvedere.com
3. "Earthling" by Dave Quiggle (@davequiggle) at DaveQuiggle.com
4. "The Transformation" by Gary Pullin (@GhoulishGary) at GhoulishGary.com
5. "Dreamscape" by Graham Erwin (@GrahamErwin) at GrahamErwin.com
6. "Fringe" by Joshua Budich (@JBudich) at JoshuaBudich.com

Fringe Benefit Project: Poster #6 "Fringe"

The sixth (and final) poster is now available on the Fringe Benefits Project website!

Joshua Budich for "Fringe" - 18 x 24 inches, 4 color screenprint, hand numbered edition of 150 (100 available) $30

More about the artist (@JBudich) can be found at JoshuaBudich.com

FYI, the glyph code at the bottom spells RESIST.

All profits from this project will be donated to The Mission Continues, an amazing charity that encourages and aids volunteerism by disabled and wounded veterans.

BTW, the first two posters are SOLD OUT, but there still a limited number of Poster #3 "Earthling" and Poster #4 "The Transformation" available for sale - while supplies last!